Empty lock for vending machines



Aug. 21; 1945. E, H. THOMPSON v 2,383,229

EMPTY LOOK FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed April 13, 1940 I 3 Sheets-Sheet INVENTQR.

2 mestfl T/zampaan BY u Aug; 21, 1945.

E. H. THOMPSON EMPTY LOG K FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed April 13, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 21, 1945. I EFH. THOMPSON v 2 9 QEMPTYA LOCK FOR VENISING MACHINES I Filed April 13/ 1940 5 Sheets-,-Sheet s lZO INVENTOR.

Frrmif/ Thar/gnaw? I BY (fignuts, various the external control 1 coin mechanism althoug Patented Aug. 21, 1945 I UNITED 'STATES "PATENT oFfFTcE 4 EMrTY LooK r li xilme Machines f Ernest H. Thompson, Winnetka, Ill.

Application April 13, 19.40, se ame 329,436

Claims. (01.194-1) This invention, 1 relates to improvements in empty locks for vending machines and more particularly has t-o1do with the provision of a fi ger disposed within a bin of bulk material in {train with an external control whereby the finger will check forithe presence of material in the bin upon each actuationof the external control.

,One ofthe objects of this invention is to provide a new and improved empty lock for coin controlled machinespfor vending bulk. material having asize 'capableiof flowing, as for example peapopcorn... In vending machines for this type of merchandise there is commonlya storage bin having at its base someform of measuring device such as aportioner in the form of a segmental wheel for dispensing aseleoted quantity of material upon each actuation of. the dispensin means. r

A second object of :this invention is to provide a testing finger near the delivery-station of the storage bin of a vending machine intrain with an external control whereby each actuation of @Will actuate the testing finger and will thereby serve to move it relative tothe merchandise .in the bin whereby it will checkthe presence {of Inerchandise therein. As will more clearlyappear hereafter; one of the features of this invention is the, provision of a pivotedrigid wire atthe bottom of a storage bin whichwire is adaptedl to be moved through the merchandise in the lower portion .of the bin upon each actuation of the external control and which wire in certain positions controls the-passage of a coin through the :coin mechanism.

A further object of this invention is to provide astroke to the; testing fingerofsuch a length that the finger will not be able to act as a bridge i to support the merchandise above it and thereby defeat its own purpose. It will be appreciated the bottom of a storage bin ing finger of the empty lock is tobe held in in effective position when-supported by merchandisc beneath it, it is evident that the testing n v nse m ta ta a merchandise .ab oveit, forv under such circumst c s he me c a dise press the testin finger d bridge to support the above 7 'wnwardly and loci; the

nine binin fact were a run. 1 For thisreason it isressentialtbat the upward stroke oin the-te'stingcfinger in response to would ,ultimately types'of hard surface candy and that a testing finger mounted near the delivery station within and at is surrounded by merchandise. It is supported by vthemerchandise below andpressed down by the merchandise above. 1112. machine where the testtainer permit the working parts of the empty lock to be to cause some Of below the testing finger. V

A further objector this invention is to make 1 the testing finger of a size which offers as little resistance to the descent of merchandise around .it as is possible without rendering the testing.

finger ineffective for its purpose. n

A further object of this invention is to provide such an empty lock Ior use with stroke or afree partial stroke coin mechanism.

These and such other objects as may herein- .aiter appear are attained by the embodiments illustrating the invention and shown in the drawings, comprising three sheets, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation. of a portion of a nut vending machine showing the external control leveriand an empty lock testing finger in coniunction with a coin mechanism;

Figure 2 is a rear view in elevation partly cut away, of the empty lock; n

Figure 3 is .a planview showing the testing finger in a magazine and Figures 4 and 5 show a modified form of empty lock in association with a free partial stroke coin mechanism in a popcorn machine, Figure 5 being a view taken .on the; line 55 of Figure 4.

One embodiment of this invention is seen in Figures 1,2 and 3 of thedrawings where anempty lock is mounted in association with a coin controlled vendingmachine iordispensing nuts, such as peanuts. QIlly a, comparatively small part of this vending machine is shown. Referrin to Figure 1, a; frame member; lfl constitutes the framework of a coin mechanism 12 and, the supporting means for a nut dispensing device M the details of which are not shown. A tubular con- .l6 (cut away between the lines 18 so as to seen) is seated on the nut dispensing holder 14 at 20, and more particularly, referring to Figure rests on an inner shoulder .22 so as to forma storage bin for bulk material. The external control .24, which is formed integral with an arm 26 pivoted at 2.8,, actuates the dispensing device I4 through the link .30 and other mechanism not v shown.

The coin mechanism [2 may beof a variety of types. As shown in Figure 1, it includes a coin receiving slot 32 and a. track which moves the coin along the dotted line 35 till it rests in the holder 35 ,of a weighing scale .38 pivoted at 4.0 and carrying an adjustable counterweight 42 A coin so held is .shown in the position 441 At the end of thecoin pathasfindicated by the dotted line 34 either a free full ure 2, it will be observed that a the track is divided into two paths, one leading to a return cup and the other to. a mechanism which, upon receipt of a coin, will enable movement of the control 24 to actuate the dispensing means I 5. A coin traveling in a normal path will reach the position 44 and overcome the counterweight 42 so that the scale 38 will assume the dotted position 46 whereupon it will drop the coin from the holding member 36 and the coin will continue downwardly to a position Where it may be used by the lever arm 26 to effect actuation of the nut dispensing mechanism I 4. When the scale 38 drops into the position 46 it is the subject of this invention comprises three movable members; namely,- an L-shaped member.52, see Figure 1, an arm 54 having a camming surface Or shoulder 56, see Figure 2, and a testing finger'58, see- Fig- Of these three elements, the L-shaped member 52, the arm 54, and the testing finger 58, only the testing finger will be common to all applications of this invention, for the L-shaped member 52 and the arm 54 are shaped as they are only for the purpose of establishing a cooperative relationshipbetween the testing finger 58 and the driving arm 26 on the one hand and the testing finger 58 and the scale 33 of the coin mechanism on the other. As will more clearly appear in the description of the second embodiment of this invention shown in Figure 4, it may be desirable to have the testing finger block actuation of the external control instead of functioning through the coin mechanism. It will be appreciated in the present embodiment of the invention that the empty lock need not act through the weighing scale of the coin mechanism but may be coupled to any scavenger in the coin mechanism.

Resuming the description of the particular embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the L- shaped member 52 is pivotally fastened to the driving arm 26 at 68 and is caused to move ina substantially vertical reciprocating fashion due to actuation of the external control 24 by means of the slot 62 riding a stud member 64 mounted in the frame I8. At the outer end of the L- shaped member 52 is a'downwardly directed projection 86 which in turn is bent to form an inwardly directed projection 68. Referring to Figsecond projection 18 is bent outwardly from the L-shaped member 52. Between these two projections 68 and is positioned the arm 54 which is keyed to the shaft I2 which is keyed to the testing finger 58.- Referring to Figure 2, a spring 14 having opposite ends 75 and 18 urges the arm 54 upwardly and the testing finger 58 downwardly. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 it will be noted that the arm 54 is held in the position shown against the pres sure of the spring 14 by reason of the fact' that the testing finger 58 is supported by the nuts 86. This position will hereinafter be referred to as the normal position for the testing finger because in operation for most of the time there are nuts or other vendible material in the bin and the testing finger occupies the position shown.

When the testing finger 58 is in normal position, referring to Figure 2,"the tip 82 of the arm 54 does not engage the counterweight 42 of the nal position, the testing finger 58 will scale 38 'but leaves the scale in the position shown in full lines, in Figure 1 so that upon the depositing of a coin in the coin mechanism 12 by a customer, the holding portion 36 of the scale will receive the coin and drop it through position 46, and thereby permit the machine to function. Moreover, actuation of the lever 26 throughout the Whole of its stroke will not cause the arm 54 to engage the scale 38 for the reason that on a downward motion of theexternal control 24, the arm 26 and the L-shaped member 52 move downwardly and the projection 10, see Figure 2, engages the camming surface 56 of the arm 54 and moves the end 82 away from the counterweight 42. The effect of this arrangement is to cause the testing finger 58 to rise to the dotted position 84. When the lever- 26 returns from actuated position 86 to its Original position, the testing finger 58 will be forced downwardly through the nuts by means of the projection 68. Actuation of the lever 26, therefore, when there are nuts in the position 80, will cause the testing finger 58 to rise to position 84 and back to'normal without interfering in any Waywith the operation of the scale 38. .1,

In the event, however, that the level of the nuts should fall sufficiently low to permit the testing finger to assume the position 88, see Figures 1 and 2, the arm 54, which is free to move between the projectionsBB and 10, will move into the position 98 and engage the counterweight 42. The spacing of the projections 68 and 10 is such that the spring 14 will be able to tip the scale counterclockwise so that it occupies the position 92, see Figure 1. In this position the scavenger 48 will drop into the position 50, heretofore mentioned, and any coin which descends the .coin track will be rejected by the scavenger 48 and returned to the customer.

1 Summarizing the operation ofthis empty lock in association with a free full stroke coin operated vending machine, a patron without inserting a coin into the slot 32 may movethe external control 24 to the position 86 freely and in so doing he Will cause the testing finger 58 to move upwardly, see Figure 1, to position 84 and upon the return of the external control 24 to its origibe returned to its normal position. These movements will not affect the position of the scale 38 which will continue ready to receive a coin. If the customer now drops a coin into the slot 32, the holdin member 86 of the scale 38 will receive it and moving down to position 46"wi1l cause the coin to the customer.

' merely a fairly heavy wire.

to move into an accepted position, not shown, where actuation of the external control 24 will cause the machine to deliver merchandise.

If, however, the level of the merchandise in the binl6 has dropped to a point such that the testingfinger 58 will cause the end 82; see Figure 2, of the arm 54 to engage the counterweight 42, the holding member-36 of the scale 38, see Figure 1,'will drop into position 92, thereby dropping .the scavenger 48 into position 58 so that any coin dropped by a customer will be returned It will be observed thatthe testing finger 58 is It-has been found that the use of a' finger presenting a greater area to the merchandise in the binwill not do the work more effectively and'will assist in building up bridges in the bin which frequentlyforce the testing finger 58 downwardly to position 88 and render the machine inoperative although there is ample'merch'andise'in the" bin.

2,383,229 Attention is also invited to the relationship of the distancebetween the normal position and position '84 and the sizeof thenuts BO. It is desirable that the testing finger 58 be moved upwardly on each cycle of themachine by a distance greaterthan the diameter of the particular particles which arebeing' dispensed, for otherwise the testing arm might assist inbuilding up I a bridge of the articles in the bin. 1 If, for example, the panticular b -in shown was filled with popcorn, the upward stroke oftesting finger shown in this embodiment would not be sufli- -ciently great to penetrate the popcorn and permit the latter to drop 'below the testing finger. The

length of the stroke therefore, is important.

A second embodiment of 'this invention is shown in Figures 4 and 5 and is characterized by the fact that the coin mechanism I00, -shown in Figure 4, is of a type which will permit a free partial stroke-ofthe link I02 as contrasted to the free fullstroke' permitted by the coin mech- I anism shown in the first embodiment. Describing briefly the structure shown in these two figures, I 04 is the-cabinet of a; popcorn machine having abin I06 with bottom walls I08 sloping into a deliveryorifice I I0 I The portioning chamber and dispensing devices .are not shown, but they are actuated by a master shaft I I2 towhich is keyed the external control knob I I4 on the arm H6. An arm member I I8 iskeyed to one end I ofthe jack shaft' I I2, see Figure 4, and is connected to the link-I02 by the pin I20. The arm I I8 has two projections I22 and I24 in alignment with an arm I25 pivotedat I20 and extending Q'Ihe coin mechanism I00, being ofthe free partial stroke type, willpermit a downward movement of the knob "IMfa'nd the arm III; to the dotted position indicated by the numeral I32 in" Figure 5, No further movement of the external control knob 114m of the jack shaft H2 or of the link I02 will be pennitted-unless an acceptable mechanism I00, although there is frequently interposed between the arm III6 andthe jack shaft 'II2 a heavy spring which" will permit further actuation oftheexternal controlknob II4 ,'while the jack shaft II2" remains motionless in order to prevent 'a customer's damaging the ma chine by attempting to'force the external control knob II4. This free movement of the external control I I4 between the normal position shown in Figure 5 to thedotted position I32 is possible at all times. It will "be observed that the arm I I8 will assume the dotted position I34 on such a movement I I I When an acceptable coin has been introduced to the coin mechanismlllfl, the coin mechanism,

will release the link I02, thereby permitting the customer to press downwardly the external con- I trol knob I I4 tothe dotted position I36, under which circumstances the arm I I8 will assume the s dotted position I38. It will be noted that during this movement of the arm II8, the arm I26 of the testing finger I has not interfered therewith for the popcorn at position I is supporting the testing finger and the popcorn is not released .from whatever type of portioning chamber is used until after the projecting member I24 has passed the tip of the arm I26. It will be appreciated that this last statement about the time of the delivery of the popcorn is of necessity true in a free partial stroke coin mechanism vending 'duringthe free partial stroke. I I I I IIf there is :nocorn in position I40 the testing finger will occupy I position I42 andcthearm I25 IwilLoccupy thedotted position I44 with the resultthat asthe IIB moves upward the arm 126 moves into position to engage the projecting member I24 and to prevent further downward movementxof the external control knob I I4. The

operation. "Of this testing finger differs from the operation in the first embodiment of theinvention in that here the testing finger blocks further --actuation of the external control, whereas in the embodiment disclosed above, the testing finger blocks acceptance of a'coinin the coin mechanism. In machines employing an empty lock Imconn'unction with a :free partial Istroke coin I mechanism where tan acceptable coin has reached accepted position in the coin mechanism, the 20;

coin is returned to the patron by means of a scavenger flicked by any I'back stroke of I the link I02, see Figure 4; 'and hence of the external con- Describing the steps of the movements of the empty lock through the ordinary cycling of the I 'zmachine whenIan acceptable coinIis 'placed in into the delivery passageway IIO as the testingI;;3

Ithe coin mechanism I I00pand an adequate supply of: popccrnis in the bin I06, the external control knob II4, will be moved downwardly the projecting member "12d is opposite the end of 'the Iarm :I'26, which :iscindicated by thedotted line position 134 of the armll8.

Inasmuch as the coin mechanism permits further movement of the link I02 and the external controlknob IN, the downward Imovement of the knob may be continued under which circumstances the arm H8 will move toward the position 1.3841 In doing so there ordinarily simultaneously occur a from the bin I06 and this will cause the testing I finger ISO to Imoveinto position I546 and the arm 126 to move .into the position2I4 8. On the return I coin has reached an accepted position in the coin of the external control knob M0 to normal the protecting members I24 and 1-22 of the arm I I8 will return the arm" I26 and the testing finger 130 to their normal positions. n As will 'be apparentby reference to the foregoling-discussion, coin mechanisms for machines of the type described maybe dividedinto two classes depending upon the length of the free stroke per- I the vendingma'chine that amanual external con- I a coin mechanism which will permit a freepartial stroke of the external control. These coin mechraanisms are directly coupled to "the external con-I troll andlupon actuation of thegexternal control will, if no acceptable coin has passed through the coin mechanism, stop actuation of the external control mechanically. On a, return of the external control to normal position, the return stroke will flick an ejector mounted at thenccepted coin position of the coin mechanism, and

return to the customer an accepted coin. It will be appreciated that a, testing finger actuated by a free full stroke external control willtest the presence of merchandise in a, storageIbin upon becansemo popcorn is to delivered I mitted to the external control. Thus,.somecoin -mechanisms are so designed and coupled with actuation Of that control regardless of the delivery of merchandise by thefmachinawhereas a testing finger responsive toithe external control of a free partial stroke machine will test the presence of goods in a bin on eachmovement of 1 the external control if the testing finger is actuated during the partial stroke. 1 But, if thetesting finger is actuated only during the operating 'part of the stroke of the external control, then the testing finger will check the presence of corn -in the bin only when the machine goes through a delivery cycle. In the second embodiment of this-invention, the testing finger. checks thepresence of corn in the bin onthe return full stroke -of-the external control. 1.

-It will, of course, be appreciatedthat this-invention may be adapted tovending machines which are electrically. operated; In suchlma- :chines the'external control usually consists of a button 'or in some instances themere depositing i of a coin'will cause the machine togothrough one dispensing cycle. Under such circumstances the testing finger such as 58, see Figure 1, will .be

actuated by any force available in the -machine to cause the cycling thereofzand when a bin has 1 become nearly empty, the testing finger may cause a scavenger finger to. enter a coin track and prevent the acceptance of coins by the coin mech anism. 1 M

It will be understood that the external control is made effective to'actuate the dispensing means by a suitable coin control mechanism, such'as for example, the coin mechanism disclosed in U. S.

I patents, Re. 21,451 and 2,251,994; As already in- .dicated, the coin mechanism may be onein which the external control-has a free full stroke .or a

free partial stroke.

Numerous other changes may be made in the apparatus described without departing from the invention.

Havingthus described myinvention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates isz:

1. An empty lock for avending machine comprising a storage bin for bulk materiahmeans for rendering the machine inoperative,'a. rigid wire -shaft horizontally journaled'at one side of said storage bin and havingan extension Within the f storagelbin bent out of alignment with the axis of the shaft whereby said extension is responsive to. the absence of ,bulk material in the bin and an oscillatory movement thereof will cause a rotation of said shaft, and a train of members extending between said shaft and said first namedmeans so 1 arranged that movement of said extension due to absence of bulk material in said bin will result in actuation of said first named means;

2.111 a vending machine having a storage bin for bulk. material, an external .control, a.:coin mechanism adapted to receive a'; coin to render; 1 the vending machine operativev upon actuation of said external control, the combination of a testing finger'within the storage bin normally em- 1 bedded in the bulk material and supportedthere- :by. at. a substantiall predetermined level, elevat-,v

' ingmeans responsive to the actuation of said exexternal control; and with said testing means for positively raising said testing means in a direc- .tion opposed to the flow of said bulk material ,ternal control to cause said testing finger to be positively raised through said bulk material vduring a vending operation when said bulk material is above said, predetermined level, means to reset said finger to said predetermined level, and means I operatively associated with said testing finger and with said coin mechanism to prevent a coin irom. being accepted by said coin mechanism fowhen said finger on being reset drops below said predetermined level.

,3. An empty lock fora vending machine having a storage bin for bulk material and an external control, comprising testing means in said bin normally supported by said bulk material and adapted to drop to a selected position unless a predetermined amount of said supporting material is present, said testing means also being adapted to be raised to a level above its normal position, means operatively associated with said during each vending operation, means to restore said testing means substantially to its normal .position by the end of a vending operation pro- .;vided a suiiicient quantity of said bulk material a selected level when said bulk material in said bin drops below a predetermined level, means operatively associated with said testing means for rendering. said vending machine inoperative when theamount of said bulk material is such that the testing means is arrested at said selected position, and means responsive to the movement of said external control to positively raise said testing means in a direction opposed to the fiow of said bulk material during each vending operation.

5. In a vending machine having a storage bin for bulk material, an external control capable of a free partial stroke at all times, and a coiri mechanism adapted to receive acoin to render thevending machine operative, the combination of atesting fingernormally embedded in the bulk material at a predetermined level, said testing finger being biased to drop by gravity, means operatively associated with said testing finger and said external control for blocking the full stroke of said external control when said testing finger drops and is arrested at a selected position due to the absence of said bulk material at said predetermined level, and elevating means responsive to the operation of said external control for positively raising said testing'finger to its original position during a vending operation.

ERNEST I-LTHQMPSON.

, CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,585,229 August 21, l9li5.

ERNEST H. THOMPSON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, first column, line 16, for the word "not" read -now; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the sarne may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office Signed and sealed this 25th day of December, A. D. 1911.5.

- Leslie Frazer (Seal) First Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

